What is cyanosis?
Cyanosis is the medical term for when your skin, lips or nails turn blue due to a lack of oxygen in your blood. If you have darker skin, cyanosis may be easier to see in your lips, gums, nails and around your eyes. The word cyanosis comes from the word cyan. Cyan is a blue-green color.
Normally, red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues in your body. Your blood is red when it’s filled with oxygen because your blood cells are bright red. As a result, when oxygen-filled blood circulates throughout your body, your skin has a pink or red tone.
When there’s not enough oxygen circulating in your blood, it’s darker and more of a blue or purple tone. The area of your body that’s most affected by cyanosis can help determine the cause.
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What does cyanosis signify?
Cyanosis can mean your organs, muscles and tissues aren’t getting the amount of blood they need to function properly. Many different conditions can cause cyanosis. While blue skin and lips aren’t always a cause for concern, some conditions do need immediate medical treatment. Conditions causing cyanosis may be related to your lungs, heart or central nervous system.
What are the different types of cyanosis?
The three types of cyanosis are circumoral (perioral), peripheral and central.
Circumoral (perioral) cyanosis
Circumoral cyanosis is when only your mouth or lips turn blue. It often occurs when your blood vessels shrink in response to cold temperatures. Circumoral cyanosis is common — and can be normal— in newborns. In older children, it may appear when they go outside in cold weather.
Peripheral cyanosis
Peripheral cyanosis is when only your hands, fingers, feet and/or toes turn blue. This can happen in very cold weather if your hands and feet aren’t well protected. It’s rarely life-threatening, but it’s important to find out the cause because it may need quick treatment to prevent permanent injury.
Central cyanosis
Central cyanosis is when other parts of your body are affected in addition to your hands and feet. This may include your chest, cheeks, tongue, gums and lips. Serious heart, lung or blood conditions may be the cause of central cyanosis. It’s very important to seek treatment immediately.
